Photo

THE BEST: 2. Shawne Merriman, OLB, ‘05. This was the real payoff on l’affaire Manning. In addition to Rivers, Smith got the 2005 pick that was used on Merriman, who was the NFL’s most demonic pass-rusher until a failed steroid test and physical issues kept him on the San Diego sideline. (Another of the Giants’ draft picks, incidentally, was used by the Chargers on placekicker Nate Kaeding.)